NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Turkey's cooperation with the BRICS group is not in conflict with Turkey's membership in the US-led NATO military bloc.
Mr. Mark Rutte affirmed that Turkey has the right to cooperate with BRICS without weakening its position as a NATO member.
The NATO head made these statements at a press conference in Estonia on October 22. When asked by Estonian public radio whether Turkey's desire to become a member of Turkey's BRICS, which the airline described as a "Russia-dominated organization" was a cause for concern, Mr. Rutte stressed that Turkey remains a "very important ally in the alliance" because it is "one of the best equipped military forces in NATO".
The secretary added that Turkey plays an very important role within NATOs geographical scope.
It is clear that in the alliance of 32 member states, there will always be debates on one thing or another, the General Secretary acknowledged. However, he stressed that Turkey has the sureest right to aspirate to BRICS membership and cooperate with its members.
That could lead to debates now and then, bilaterally or within NATO. But that does not mean Türkiye is not supported, Rutte said.
NATO is very supportive of Turkey and Turkey is very supportive of NATO, added General Secretary Mark Rutte, asserting that he believes this will continue.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Putin is currently attending the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, where he met with President Vladimir Putin to discuss bilateral relations, the Ukrainian crisis and the situation in the Middle East.
Last month, Turkey announced that it had officially applied to join BRICS - becoming the first NATO country to seek to join the group.
However, Turkey's application to join BRICS has raised concerns in the European Union (EU). EU spokesman Peter Stano stressed that Turkey - an EU candidate country since 1999 - must respect the EU's foreign values and policies despite having the right to choose international organizations to participate.
Turkey officials have previously told the Middle East Eye that while BRICS is not seen as an alternative to NATO or the EU, "EU membership has stalled," Turkey has urged Turkey to explore "other economic platforms."
